Trump embarks on first foreign trip

White House hopeful sojourn will distract from domestic difficulties

WASHINGTON - With turmoil enveloping his administration at home, President Donald Trump was scheduled to head abroad on Friday for a trip the White House hopes will shift focus away from domestic controversies and on to his foreign-policy agenda.

Trump was scheduled to leave for Saudi Arabia on Friday afternoon and will make stops next week in Israel, Belgium and Italy. The trip was billed as a chance to visit places sacred to three of the world's major religions while creating face time with Arab, Israeli and European leaders.